Three of the first six 2012 playoff contests have gone past the third period, but this was the first that felt like the first true overtime battle. Antti Niemi deserves a lot of credit for keeping the Sharks in this game despite the fact that they were heavily out shot in the first overtime period. However, the man of the hour is Martin Havlat, who spent the better part of the season on the sidelines. He has been great since his return from a hamstring injury and has a five-game point streak dating back to the regular season. Havlat scored a double-OT goal to give the Sharks a 3-2 win against the Blues.

So what did you think of the game? Here’s a few points to keep in mind:

San Jose Sharks got just three goals in four games against St. Louis during the regular season. They didn’t exactly overpower the Blues on Thursday, but they did prove they can beat their defense and goaltending.

After a relatively quiet first period, things heated up. They drew four minor penalties each over the second and third periods and they traded power-play goals.

St. Louis’ Patrik Berglund stepped up in this game after getting no points during the Blues’ brief playoff run back in 2009.

Speaking of youngsters stepping up, Andrew Desjardins scored the goal that sent this game to overtime with just 5:16 remaining in the third period. He has five goals in 93 career regular season games, but two goals in four postseason contests. Could we have the making of a playoff hero?

Antti Niemi’s final playoff game of the Sharks’ 2011 playoff run went to double overtime. So starting off his 2012 playoff campaign with a double overtime win seems somehow appropriate.

Blues got robbed. Total interference/pick by Couture to free Clowe for the game winning assist. I guess that is only interference during the regular season, not when it counts.

1943mrmojorisin1971 - Apr 12, 2012 at 11:54 PM

Whistles stay away in overtime unless something that absolutely can’t not be called happens like too many men, delay of game, really dirty play, etc.

mickeyb21 - Apr 13, 2012 at 8:17 AM

That’s not the missed penalty I care about. It was the trip of Pietrangelo on San Jose’s first PP goal that went unnoticed. When you trip the guy who’s on you, it’s pretty easy to get open for the deflection. Also, the delay of game not called in ot was annoying as well.

Oh well, just game one. Hopefully the Blues get some of the breaks in the next game and bury their chances.

Loved the Sharks energy…..I was hoping playing hard down the final stretch of the regular season was going to pay off for San Jose and it clearly did. Havlat is healthy finally at just the right time too…… the first goal he scored was sniper material, good read and tapped the punk right in…..then in double OT he comes out clutch again. Big D Murray was knocking the Blues all over the place, Antti Niemi was shutdown. Joe Thornton logged big ice time as usual and it was nice to Boyle all over the Blues. The one player that I think helped a ton and didn’t get any notice was the defensive presence of Marc-Edward Vlasic, the kid played outta his mind and didn’t give the Blues much to work with all night……. what a perfect start to this series. Go Sharks!

Yes, the Sharks are peaking at the right time and the Blues are stale and making the mistakes. There is very little difference between a #1 seed and a #8 seed in the playoffs. It is a matter of who has the hot goaltender is and who wants it more.

I am a huge sharksfan but we should have been arrested on the way to the hotel for stealing. Sharks won but need to be a lot better to win this series. As for the missed calls there were a lot on both sides. Remember there is no crying in hockey !

txhockeydad - Apr 13, 2012 at 3:12 PM

Havlat…he can play when he decides to do so. Wish he showed up more than 30% of the time. Kids, you play every shift. Nice perfectly manicured beard.